Britain's Mental Health is Getting Worse. Society continues to fall short when it comes to mental health. Despite the occasional awareness campaigns and fleeting discussions, mental health still remains at the bottom of the priority list. If anything, it seems to be getting worse. People out there continue to struggle – not just with their own battles, but with the weight of judgment from others. The world around us is very much responsible for Mental health.
Mental health on the socials doesn't exist. I continue to write about mental health on The CP Diary, hoping those who read my blog take the time to nurture and prioritise their own mental health and wellbeing.
"Andy Bell, Chief Executive of the Centre for Mental Health, highlights the growing number of people seeking mental health support. He stresses the need for election manifestos to focus on prevention, addressing issues before they escalate.
Rates of mental health difficulty among children and young people have risen especially quickly since the start of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. As a result, more and more people are seeking help for their mental health. A comprehensive cross-government mental health plan could tackle the causes of distress to protect people’s mental health throughout life. It could boost affordable housing and heating. It could tackle racism and racial injustice. And it could support schools and workplaces to be more mentally healthy." (Source: healthequalsorg.co.uk)
There remains a fundamental misunderstanding about mental health – how it affects people, how deeply ingrained it is in our lives, and how essential it is to overall wellbeing. Do we really understand how mental health works, do we talk about mental health and if we are, are we truly listening? Do we want to understand what others are dealing with, or is it simply another topic we acknowledge in passing, before retreating back into our own lives and into our comfort zones?
The lack of empathy and understanding is evident in how we respond to those who are struggling. People are often told to ‘get over it’ or ‘think positively,’ as if mental illness is something one can simply shake off. If only it were that simple. You wouldn’t tell or insist someone with a broken leg run a marathon; yet, we expect people with mental health conditions to get on with their lives, as though nothing is wrong.
While the conversation around mental health has improved, action still falls behind. Services remain inadequate, waiting lists for support are long, and mental health is still not prioritised in the same way as physical health. Society must do better. We must all do better. Education, compassion and tangible action are the only way forward.
Talking helps, but listening matters more. Real change starts with understanding without judgment and without assumptions on how or why people struggle with their mental health. Only then will we truly support those who need it the most.
I try to bring a voice to mental health through The CP Diary. Perhaps something resonates with you. When it comes to mental health, everything feels like it's on repeat. While repeat can be annoying, it's necessary for good mental health.
